Drawer structure



April 13, 1965 G. l.. BRIDWELL 3,178,243

DRAWER STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Era. 6.

.Ft/ZG 6- /40 /24 38 nvvEN'roR. L"g LL-li N' 6,4/1. l.. R/DWELL ZZ/32//30/ 32%;/4// BY OBE/AN BLACK/MM /Z/ 36/ 154 ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent C 3,178,248 DRAWER STRUCTURE Gail L. Bri-dweil, 1223 rirnrose,Grange, Calif. Filed dan. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 169,866 1 Claim. (Cl. S12-331) This invention pertains to a new and improved drawer structure.

Drawer structures as such have been known for many years. Theconventional drawer is nothing more or less than an open top box-likeaiiair which is mounted within a support corresponding to its shape insuch a manner that it can be pulled from the opening in order to provideaccess to the interior orP the drawer. While this general type of drawerstructure and many other drawer structures are very eiicient andutilitarian for their intended purposes unfortunately they suffer from adisadvantage tending to limit their utilization in many locations.

This disadvantage relates to the problem of access to the rear portionof a drawer. A conventional drawer structure as outlined in thepreceding paragraph is held in place by contact between the drawer withthe framework holding it. This means that the drawer can only be pulledto access position to a limited extent or t le drawer will fall out. Inmany locations this is not disadvantageous. However, when a drawerstructure is utilized between a shelf and a floor, or at a comparativelyelevated height this disadvantage becomes exceedingly important. Itbecomes important because of diiliculties in obtaining access to therear of such a drawer structure in either of such locations.

As a result of this factor a number of efforts have been made towardproviding drawer and stabilizing con'- structions capable of beingutilized in spaces normally occupied by shelves beneath a kitchencabinet and in various other locations. These efforts are considered tohave been more or less acceptable; however, in general the prior drawerconstructions for usein areas such as these have been disadvantageousbecause of cost considerations, because of problem pertaining to theirinstallations, their reliability and the amount of space consumed by theoperative mechanisms employed with them. Thus, for example, certainprior drawer constructions for use beneath working shelves have requiredthe modiiication of the structures within which they are disposed so asto allow for their installation. Such modifications obviously are timeconsuming and expensive.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improveddrawer structure capable of being utilized within either areas belownormal working height or in areas above normal working height whichallow for access to virtually the entire interior of such a drawerstructure. Another object of the present invention is to provide adrawer structure as indicated which may be manufactured at acomparatively nominal price, which may be easily installed by even anunskilled individual,

which when installed does not require any significant amount of space orarea for its operative mechanism, and which is extremely reliable inuse.

These and Various other advantages and objects of the present inventionwill be more fully apparent from a detailed consideration of theremainder of this specication, including the appended claim and theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a partial perspective view of a kitchen cabinet structureutilizing a drawer structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FiG. 3 is a rear elevational view showing a part of Y 3,178,248 PatentedApr. 13, 1965 ice the operative mechanism employed in this drawerstructure;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 but showing thedrawer structure in extended position so as to allow access to virtuallyall parts of its interior;

FG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partial S--S of FIG. 7.

The accompanying drawings are primarily intended so as to clearlyillustrate a presently preferred embodiment or form of the presentinvention. From a careful consideration of the drawings those skilled inthe art of cabinet and drawer construction will realize that variousmodifications of a routine design or engineering category may be made inthe precise structure shown without departing from the features orprinciples of this invention as defined or summarized in the appendedclaims.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated inessentially summary form that it concerns a drawer structure havingfront and rear ends, roller means engaging the bottom of a draweradjacent to its front end when it is in a closed position for supportingthe drawer structure, stabilizing means for preventing lateral orsidewise shifting of the drawer structure and two mounting bracketstructures located at the sides of the rear of the drawer structure forcontrolling its movement in a linear path and for preventing the drawerstructure from being pulled off of the roller means when it is moved toan open position. Preferably each of these mounting bracket structuresincludes what may be termed a control link and what may be termed upperand lower stabilizer links. Preferably the entire drawer structure ofthe present invention is formed so as to include an external box-likestructure serving as a frame, and this box-like structure is mountedaround the drawer utilized and supports the roller means, part of thestabilizing means and the control links in the mounting brackets so asto hold the drawer employed in the complete drawer structure.

The actual details of the present invention are best more fullyexplained by referring directly to the accompanying drawings. Here thereis shown a drawer structure 1i? mounted within a conventional ldtchen orsimilar cabinet l2 below the normal working surface or top 14 of thecabinet 12. This drawer structure 1d is built so as to be insertedwithin the opening i6 normally provided in the cabinet 12 so as to gainaccess to conventional shelves or the like (not shown) such as arecommonly used in various conventional cabinets. The exterior part or"the complete drawer structure-10 comprises a box-like structure 18having a top 2t), a bottom 22, side walls 24 and an open front 26 and anopen rear 28. This boxlike structure 18 is designed so as to lit closelywithin the interior o the opening 16 in the cabinet 12.

Preferably it is secured in place to the cabinet 12 through the use ofpositioning brackets 30 as shown in FiGS. 7 and 8. These brackets 3) arelocated at the eX- tremities of the bottom 22 adjacent to the side walls24 and are secured in place to the box-like structure 18 by means ofscrews 32 or similar fasteners fitting within slots 34 in the brackets3i). Each of the brackets 30 also includes a bent-over end tab 36extending at a right angle from it. Each tab 36 is provided with anotherslot 34 holding another screw 32 which projects into the cabinet 12adjacent to the opening 16 in order to hold the brackets 3) and ofcourse the box-like structure 1S in place. It will be noted that thebracket Sii is of a flat configuration cross-sectional View taken atline a, 1 raads and that a portion 3S of each bracket 30 extends pastthe tab 36 so as to engage the interior of the cabinet 12 in such amanner as to position the box-like structure 18 within the interior ofthecabinet 12 slightly lin back of the front of the opening 16.

Generally U-shaped supports 46 are secured to the bottom 22 of thebox-like structure 18 adjacent to each of the side walls 24 through theuse of other screws 42 which project through the center portions ofthese supports 40. The extremities of each of the supports 49 are heldtogether by means of a rivet or similar member 44 which in turn supportsa roller 46 in each of these supports 4i). Each of the rollers 46 is ofa cylindrical character and is provided with end tlange 43. These endflanges 48 are located on the ends of the rollers 46 closest adjacent tothe side walls 24.

In the complete drawer structure 1i) the rollers 46 are used to supporta drawer 56. This drawer Sii must include a bottom wall 52 and a backwall 54 and a wall having an upper edge 56 which extends parallel to thebottom wall 52 so as to tit within a slot 5S formed in the top wall 2t).In the particular drawer 56 this upper edge 56 is formed on an extendingwall 6l) which in turn supports other shelf-like walls 62. This drawerSil must also include a front wall 64. In the complete drawer structurel() this front wall 64 is joined to the vertical wall 6i) and the bottomwall 52 and is of such dimension as to extend beyond the confines of theopening i6 so as to fit up against the cabinet i2 when the drawer 50 isin a closed position. If desired, the front wall 64 can be formed as twoseparate parts, an unnished front Wall (not separately shown) formed onthis drawer in a factory and a finished front wall which is attached tothis unfinished wall during the installation of the complete drawerstructure 10. In this latter case the finished front wall 64 may be aconventional cabinet drawer taken off of the cabinet 12 during theinstallation of the drawer structure 10.

From an analysis of the foregoing it will be realized that the bottomwall S2 of the drawer Si) rests upon the rollers 46 and that the endflanges 48 engage the edges of the bottom Wall 52 so as to preventlateral shifting of the drawer Stb with respect to the box-likestructure 18. From an analysis of the foregoing it will also be realizedthat a wide variety of differently shaped, sized, etc., shelflike walls62 may be installed in the drawer 50 depending upon the intendedutilization of this drawer. Thus, for example, if the entire drawerstructure l@ is to be used in storing canned goods or the like, it maybe shaped differently than if it is to oe used entirely in storing potsand pans or other similar household utensils.

In the complete drawer structure 1) there are utilized two completemounting structures 66. Each of these mounting structures is locatedadjacent to a side wall 24 of the box-like structure 1S. Each of thesemounting structures includes a generally U-shaped holding bracket 68which is attached to the rear edge of a side wall 24 approximatelyhalf-way between the top and the bottom 24 by means of a bolt '76. Eachof the brackets 68 is provided with an offset end 72 located within theboxlikel structure 18, and each of these ends 72 is attached to an endof a straight control link 74 by means of a rivet or similar fastener 76serving as a pivot connection. The ends of the links 74 remote from thebrackets 68 in the mounting structure 66 are connected by means of4other rivets 76 to ends of lower stabilizing links 78.

Other rivets 76 located intermediate the ends of the control links 74are used to connect these control links 74 to ends of upper stabilizinglinks S0 in the mounting structures 66. The extremities or ends of theupper and lower stabilizer links 78 and 80 remote from the control linksare attached to other L-shaped holding brackets 82 by means of otherrivets 76. These holding brackets 32 are secured to the back wall 54 ofthe drawer 50 adjacent to sides of the back wall S4 by means of bolts orsimilar fasteners 84;

It will be noted that the upper stabilizer links 86 are thus secured tothe drawer 50 immediately adjacent to the top of the back wall 54, andthat the lower stabilizer links 78 are secured to this drawer 50approximately along the midpoints of the side edges of the back wall 54.It will be further noted that the control links 74 and the upper andlower stabilizer links 78 and St) are proportioned so that when thedrawer 56 is in a closed position that the various links in each of themounting structures 66 all extend along side one another in asubstantially vertical position as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of thedrawings in which they appear more or less nested together. It will alsobe noted in this position the extremity of each control link 74 remotefrom the corresponding holding bracket 68 is spaced a comparativelyshort distance from the bottom 22 of the box-like structure 18. Thispermits what is considered to be a maximum amount of space to beutilized in the complete drawer structure 10 by the drawer 50.

The ends of the lower stabilizer links 7S attached to the control links74 are provided with small bent flanges S6 which are adapted to engagethe control links 74 as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings so as tolimit rotation of the lower stabilizer links 76 with respect to thecontrol links 74 by engagement with these control links 74 so as toserve to limit the amount the drawer 56 can be pulled from the box-likestructure ltS. As shown in FlG. 6 of the drawings this limit correspondsto a position of the drawer 50 in which the portion of the bottom wall52 adjacent to the back wall 54 rests upon the rollers 46 and in which aportion of the upper edge 56 immediately adjacent to the back wall 54iits within the front extremity of the slot 5S. Thus, with this drawerstructure 1% there is no danger of the complete drawer 50 being pulledsufhciently far out so as to become inoperative. In this position,however, virtually the entire interior of the drawer 50 is available forutilization.

From a detailed consideration of the preceding those skilled in the artto which this invention pertains will realize that many changes andmodifications may be made in the precise drawer structure 1t) shownwithout departing from the essential features of this drawer structureas herein explained. They will further realize that the precise drawerstructure 10 set forth in this specification and illustrated in thedrawing achieves the various objects and advantages of the invention setforth in the initial portions of this specification. Because of thenature of this invention it is to be considered as being limited solelyby the appended claim forming a part of this disclosure.

l claim:

A cabinet structure which includes:

a cabinet having a front opening;

a box structure having a top, a bottom, sides, a rear and a frontopening, said box being positioned within the interior of said cabinet,adjustable means for immovably mounting said box within the interior ofsaid cabinet;

roller means for supporting a drawer located on the bottom of said boxstructure adjacent to said front opening;

a drawer having a bottom and a back located withinsaid box structure soas to be supported on said roller means, said back of said drawer beinglocated adjacent to said rear of said box structure in a closed positionof said drawer;

cooperating stabilizing means comprising first and second interlockingmeans, said first interlocking means being formed on the top of said boxstructure adjacent to said drawer, and said second interlocking meansbeing formed on said drawer, said first and second interlocking meanspreventing substantial sidewise tipping of said drawer during movementof said drawer;

first and second mounting structure means for preventing slipping ofsaid drawer upon s'aidI rollers and permitting said drawer to be movedfrom said closed position to an open position in which said drawerextends from said box structure, each of said iirst and second mountingmeans being connected to t'ne back of said drawer and to the side ofsaid box structure at the rear thereof, said rst mounting structurebeing connected to one side and said second mounting structure beingconnected 'to the other side, each of said rst and second mountingstructures being connected to their respective sides of said boxstructure substantially midway between the top and the bottom thereof;

said rst and second separate mounting structure means each including acontrol link pivotally attached to said box structure, said control linkhaving an extremity at its end opposite its pivot hole mounting, thedistance between said pivot hole mounting to said extremity being lessthan the distance from said pivot hole mounting to the bottom of saidbox structure;

upper and lower stabilizing links pivotally attached to said controllink and to the back of said drawer, said CIW lower stabilizing linkbeing pivotally attached to the extremity of said control link remotefrom the portion of said control link attached to said side of said boxstructure and to the back of said drawer substantially midway betweenthe top and bottom of said drawer, said lower stabilizing link beingpivotally attached to the back of said drawenin said position as to bebelow the pivot where said control link is pivotally attached to thesides of said box structure when said drawer is in a closed position,said upper stabilizing link being pivotally connected to said controllink between the ends thereof and to the back of said drawer adjacent tothe top of said drawer.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS583,228 Hamilton May 25, 1897 856,113 Tobey Iune 4, 1907 917,747 BrownApr. 13, 1909 2,774,644 Patterson Dec. 18, 1956 2,918,113 Lorenz Dec.22, 1959

1. A CABINET STRUCTURE WHICH INCLUDES: A CABINET HAVING A FRONT OPENING;A BOX STRUCTURE HAVING A TOP, A BOTTOM, SIDES, A REAR AND A FRONTOPENING, SAID BOX BEING POSITIONED WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF SAID CABINET,ADJUSTABLE MEANS FOR IMMOVABLY MOUNTING SAID BOX WITHIN THE INTERIOR OFSAID CABINET; ROLLER MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A DRAWER LOCATED ON THE BOTTOMOF SAID BOX STRUCTURE ADAJCENT TO SAID FRONT OPENING; A DRAWER HAVING ABOTTOM AND A BACK LOCATED WITHIN SAID BOX STRUTURE SO AS TO BE SUPPORTEDON SAID ROLLER MEANS, SAID BACK OF SAID DRAWER BEING LOCATED ADJACENT OFSAID REAR OF SAID BOX STRUCTURE IN A CLOSED POSITION OF SAID DRAWER;COOPERATING STABLIZING MEANS COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND INTERLOCKINGMEANS, SAID FIRST INTERLOCKING MEANS BEING FORMED ON THE TOP OF SAID BOXSTRUCTURE ADJACENT TO SAID DRAWER, AND SAID SECOND INTERLOCKING MEANSBEING FORMED ON SAID DRAWER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND INTERLOCKING MEANSPREVENTING SUBSTANTIAL SIDEWISE TIPPING OF SAID DRAWER DURING MOVEMENTOF SAID DRAWER; FIRST AND SECOND MOUNTING STRUCTURE MEANS FOR PREVENTINGSLIPPING OF SAID DRAWER UPON SAID ROLLERS AND PERMITTING SAID DRAWER TOBE MOVED FROM SAID CLOSED POSITION TO AN OPEN POSITION IN WHICH SAIDDRAWER EXTENDS FROM SAID BOX STRUCTURE, EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECONDMOUNTING MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO THE BACK OF SAID DRAWER AND TO THESIDE OF SAID BOX STRUCTURE AT THE REAR THEREOF, SAID FIRST MOUNTINGSTRUCTURE BEING CONNECTED TO ONE SIDE AND SAID SECOND MOUNTING STRUCTUREBEING CONNECTED TO THE OTHER SIDE, EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECONDMOUNTING STRUCTURES BEING CONNECTED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SIDES OF SAIDBOX STRUCTURE SUBSTANTIALLY MIDWAY BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE BOTTOMTHEREOF; SAID FIRST AND SECOND SEPARATE MOUNTING STRUCTURE MEANS EACHINCLUDING A CONTROL LINK PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID BOX STRUCTURE, SAIDCONTROL LINK HAVING AN EXTREMITY AT ITS END OPPOSITE ITS PIVOT HOLEMOUNTING, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID PIVOT HOLE MOUNTING TO SAIDEXTREMITY BEING LESS THAN THE DISTANCE FROM SAID PIVOT HOLE MOUNTING TOTHE BOTTOM OF SAID BOX STRUCTURE; UPPER AND LOWER STABILIZING LINKSPIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID CONTROL LINK AND TO THE BACK OF SAID DRAWER,SAID LOWER STABILIZING LINK BEING PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO THE EXTREMITY OFSAID CONTROL LINK REMOTE FROM THE PORTION OF SAID CONTROL LINK ATTACHEDTO SAID SIDE OF SAID BOX STRUCTURE AND TO THE BACK OF SAID DRAWERSUBSTANTIALLY MIDWAY BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SAID DRAWER, SAIDLOWER STABILIZING LINK BEING PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF SAIDDRAWER IN SAID POSITION AS TO BE BELOW THE PIVOT WHERE SAID CONTROL LINKIS PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO THE SIDES OF SAID BOX STRUCTURE WHEN SAIDDRAWER IS IN A CLOSED POSITION, SAID UPPER STABILIZING LINK BEINGPIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID CONTROL LINK BETWEEN THE ENDS THEREOF AND TOTHE BACK OF SAID DRAWER ADJACENT TO THE TOP OF SAID DRAWER.